Rabbits today contain many owners of suburban areas in Russia. These animals, although rather capricious and whimsical, are very beneficial in breeding. The lion's share of the rabbit diet is ordinary green grass. At the same time, such animals reproduce very quickly. So, on such a farm, at relatively low cost of feed, you can get a lot of delicious dietary meat.
Unfortunately, in many farmsteads today you can see either outbred rabbits, or, in extreme cases, mestizos of the Soviet chinchilla. Caring for such animals, of course, is quite simple. However, they are too large, unfortunately, never grow. Meanwhile, today there are many breeds of rabbits that can gain just a huge body weight in a relatively short time. And the largest of these is German Riesen. Rabbits of this breed in care are somewhat more whimsical than usual. But keeping them is much more profitable.
Breed history
German Riesen rabbits were bred in Germany in the 19th century. At that time, the farmers of this country took the Belgian flanders as a basis. This breed was selected by selecting the largest and most hardy individuals. In the end, German farmers managed to get the largest rabbits at the moment in the world, which also differ in fairly good health. German rizen was registered as a breed in 1937. Subsequently, these rabbits gained immense popularity all over the world. Today they are bred not only in Germany, but also in other countries of Europe, in America and Russia.
General description of the German Riesen rabbit
The main distinguishing feature of animals of this breed is precisely its large weight. The average body weight of an adult German Riesen is 10 kg. But with good care, representatives of this breed can reach a weight of 14 and even more kilograms. The body length of these animals is usually 65-70 cm.
The distinctive features of the Riesen rabbits (or German giant) are also:
Fur color
Most often on the courtyards there are German Risen rabbits of gray chinchilla color. Also, breed standards allow other colors of animal skins:
- dark gray;
- yellow-gray;
- white;
- cream;
- agouti;
- shortbread.
The fur itself in rabbits of this breed is very thick and silky.
Economic value
You can get a lot of meat from German Riesen rabbits. In addition, this product is also distinguished by excellent taste and marketability. Also, some farmers who breed animals of this breed, profit from the surrender of the skins of these animals. The rizenov, as already mentioned, have very high quality and can be used for sewing hats, fur coats, bags, etc.
In terms of fertility, these rabbits are not much inferior even to representatives of small breeds. At one time, a female German Riesen can bring up to 12 cubs. Sometimes rabbits in the litter are even more. The only thing is that these rabbits, like any other giants, reach puberty relatively late. If representatives of small breeds are allowed to be reduced to obtain offspring as early as 5-6 months, for rizenes this period only comes to 8-10 months.
How to choose rabbits
It is believed that for maintenance on the compound you need to purchase rabbits of this breed at least 3-4 months old. This is due primarily to the late ripening of German rizena. At 1.5-2 months, these rabbits are still kept with their mother and are not too adapted to independent life.
Of course, you need to buy rabbits at farms that specialize in breeding rizens. This will guarantee the acquisition of healthy purebred animals. This breed is currently quite common in Russia. And to acquire quality rabbits, if desired, the owner of the farmyard will not be difficult. Residents of St. Petersburg, for example, can buy German rizen in Lomonosov for their breeding rabbit cottage. Nizhny Novgorod residents to go to the Petrovskoye Private Farm to buy such rabbits. Residents of Samara can contact the company "Giant Rabbit", etc.
Experienced farmers do not recommend buying such rabbits on the market. In this case, there is a possibility of acquiring mestizos. In addition, sick animals are often sold on the market, the purchase of which can lead to infection of rabbits already on the farm.
Where to contain
The German Riesen rabbits grow are actually very large. Therefore, in the cells of the representatives of this breed contain quite rarely. Most often, rizenas are equipped with spacious aviaries. In this case, at first a small shed without windows is built for the animals and it is well insulated. The rabbitry floor is lined with straw.
Next, the house assembled for rizena is surrounded by a fence, for example, from a chain-link. Like any other rabbits, representatives of this breed are able to quickly dig the earth and arrange moves in it. So that the rizena did not subsequently escape from the aviary, the netting of the netting should be buried into the ground by 1-1.5 meters. In extreme cases, you can simply concrete the floor with an incline for rainwater drainage in the aviary and fill it with soil with a 20 cm layer.
The top of the aviary is also covered with a net. Otherwise, foxes or stray dogs (which, oddly enough, can climb a chain-link) can subsequently get inside the rabbits of the German giants Risen. Also, if there is no roof in the aviary, forty rabbits can suffer from forty. The chain-link to the supporting posts should be fixed as securely as possible. Otherwise, hungry stray dogs will certainly try to tear it off and penetrate the enclosure.
Branches for manufacturers
Young rabbits of German giants (rizenov) selected for fattening, like any other breeds, contain groups by age. Therefore, in the aviary and shed, you need to make several compartments. Also, individual dwellings should be equipped for manufacturers. In this case, the largest "compartments" should be left, of course, for the queens. After all, in the future they will have to live here for some time with the growing rabbits.
Is it possible to keep in cells
Most often, in this way, farmers use the technique of enclosure for rabbits German Riesen. In the photo on this page you can see how large the representatives of this breed can grow. Of course, they need a lot of space for normal development.
Of course, if necessary, you can breed rabbits of the German giants Risen and in the cells. However, most farmers still consider the use of such a technique for this breed to be inappropriate. The initial costs when using this technology, unfortunately, can be quite large. After all, for rizenov need cells 1.5-2 times larger than for ordinary rabbits. But such agricultural equipment is very expensive.
Diet rabbits: what you need to know
Thus, the above article gave a detailed description of the German Riesen rabbit breed. Breeding and keeping these animals technologically is a relatively simple procedure. But undertaking the organization of such a farm is still only worthy of experienced rabbit breeders. Beginners should first work out on some cheaper and less demanding mestizos. In comparison with ordinary small breeds, the German giant is distinguished, as already mentioned, by some whimsicality.
First of all, for the rabbit-risen rabbits brought from the breeding farm, it will be necessary to develop the right menu. When buying animals from the seller, you must definitely ask what they ate on his farm. In any case, it is impossible to drastically change the diet of small risen. Otherwise, the rabbits will necessarily have an upset stomach, as a result of which they may even die.
Also, do not include in the menu of small rizens and too many beets and cabbage. These foods can also cause intestinal upset. Carrots to rizena, including small ones, can be given freely. Before laying grass in rabbit feeders, green grass must be dried during the day.
Breeding rabbits German Riesen: how to feed adults
The diet of rizen, like any other farm animals, should consist of three types of feed:
juicy;
gross;
concentrated.
The first group of rabbit food, in addition to carrots, herbs, beets and cabbage, can include, for example, zucchini, apples, watermelon peels, potatoes (always boiled and not green), a small number of cucumbers.
What kind of grass
Very often, rabbits, including German Risen, are fed weeds from gardens to private farms. It is believed that it is very useful to give these animals, for example, nettle, quinoa, leek. It is also necessary to plant carrots and radishes in the aviary with rizena.
But some types of herbs, including those growing in gardens, are contraindicated for rabbits. Of course, you should not give poisonous greens to German rizenas, for example, the same bleach and dope. Also, celandine, nightshade (including tomato and potato tops), and euphorbia have a negative effect on the body of these animals.
The adult German rabbit giant Riesen will calmly eat, including just cut grass. But, as for young animals, for such animals it is better to dry it in the shade for some time first.
What concentrates to use
The muscle mass of rizena is gaining more. Therefore, concentrates in their diet, of course, should include quite a lot. German rizen, like other rabbits, is fed mainly with barley crusher. If desired, it can be diluted with a small amount of oatmeal. Also, owners of rabbit farms often add bran to the barley crusher. In this case, the grain mix is pre-wetted with water. Dry bran, unfortunately, can clog the nose and throat of rabbits.
From time to time, animals are allowed to give dried white bread. But such food for rabbits rizenam too much to offer is not worth it. Dried white pastries in such a household can only be used as a treat. Rabbits can be given more brown bread.
Roughage
In the winter, rabbits are also given hay. You can harvest such a product yourself. At the same time, it is supposed to mow it away from rivers and lakes. Pathogens of rabbit diseases often live and breed on the green parts of grass that grows near water bodies. Of course, hay for the German Riesen can not be mowed, but you can already buy it. It is believed that for these animals this type of roughage prepared for goats is best suited.
In addition to hay, German Riesen rabbits for the winter must definitely dry brooms. Excellently eaten by these animals in the cold season, for example, branches of apple trees, birch, grapes, aspen. You can not offer German rizena branches of cherry, apricot, plum, elderberry, ledum.